July brings in sunny days, music festivals, night markets, and of course – the Calgary Stampede. In other words, everything we’ve come to know and love about Summer. With so much happening this month, we can’t wait to get off our couches and on to making some epic plans.
Read on to learn more about what’s happening this July in YYC.
Shakespeare by the Bow: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
June 29 – August 19th at 2pm or 7pm
Prince’s Island Park, 698 Eau Claire Ave SW
Website
Escape to Prince’s Island Park this July to celebrate Alberta’s emerging artists and take in a little Shakespeare by the Bow. This is the perfect setting for a date of any kind. Performances are all pay-what-you-will – no ticket required – which makes this an easy addition to your social calendar. They’ll be performing Shakespeare’s first comedy, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, so prepare for some bromance, laughter and even a dog.
Canada Day at Eau Claire Market
July 1st from 11am-9pm
Eau Claire Market, 200 Barclay Parade SW
Website
Come celebrate Canada’s birthday properly with an all-day party at Eau Claire Market. This free event is sure to suit everyone. Activities include free ice cream (while supplies last), live entertainment, an artisan market, surprise guests, children’s activities and so much more.
Music in the Plaza
July 4th to August 29th from 6pm-8pm
Heritage Town Square, 1900 Heritage Dr SW
Website
Heritage Park welcomes back another summer of Music in the Plaza. Every Wednesday evening in July and August, the Heritage Town Square will be filled with the sound of music. From folk to funk and country to Celtic, this free event promises a diverse range of musical styles. The show goes rain or shine so grab your date and a blanket and get ready to enjoy some seriously talented musical acts.
Calgary Stampede 2018
July 6th to July 15th
Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE
Website
No explanation needed – the time you’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Welcome to the 10 days of wearing too much denim and plaid, two-steppin’ and mornings fueled by gatorade and Advil. Prepare to eat your weight in fried foods, go on your favourite carnival rides and spend way too much time in the beer gardens.
Stampede Parade
July 6th from 11am-130pm
1410 Olympic Way SE
Website
It’s the same great parade you love – just with a new direction. This year, the Calgary Stampede parade will see the colourful and engaging marching bands, floats and horses travelling in the opposite direction from previous years. Starting from the intersection of 9th Avenue and 1st Street SE, the parade will travel along the route to the final destination of 6th Avenue and 3rd Street SE. For those looking to keep the festivities going, free admission to the park is offered until 130pm. Get downtown early so you can snag a good spot to spectate on the curb.
Mexifest
July 6th from 11am-9pm
Eau Claire Ave SW
Website
On July 6th and 7th, come enjoy a two-day ethnic festival in downtown Calgary that will highlight the culture of Mexico. Learn about the diversity in Mexican gastronomy, arts, music and culture while you are introduced to the finer aspects of contemporary and traditional Mexican culture.
Hip Hop Brunch at Market Calgary
July 8th from 11am-3pm
MARKET Calgary, 718 17 Ave SW
Website
Join MARKET Calgary for the last installment of their Spring/Summer Hip Hop Brunch on July 8th. Sip on mimosas, indulge in a tasty brunch line-up and enjoy hip hop beats from DJ Lurkn. Round up your brunch crew and book your table – seats fill up fast.
$10 Date Night at Studio Bell
July 10th from 5pm-8pm
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, 850 4 St SE
Website
Every second Tuesday of the month throughout the summer, The National Music Centre will be offering extended hours and discounted rates for all visitors. Grab your date to enjoy $10 admission as you explore five floors of exhibitions that tell the story of music in Canada. They’ve got interactive activities, Canadian Music Halls of Fame, and new exhibitions to keep you entertained.
Roundup MusicFest
July 11th at 3pm
Shaw Millennium Park, 1220 9 Ave SW
Website
The Roundup MusicFest is an outdoor music festival featuring entertainment from internationally acclaimed artists. This year’s event will see performances from The Grapes of Wrath, Train, The Wallflowers and Goo Goo Dolls. Mark your calendars and bring your date to this party. The event supports the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC).
Cyclepalooza
July 13th to July 22nd at Various Times
Various Locations
Website
Cyclepalooza is back again this summer for ten fun-filled days. The festival brings people from around the city together to mingle and cycle. Events include an Ice Cream Ride Bicycle Tour, Overnight Camping Trip to Chestermere Lake, a bike prom and so much more. Check out the site for the full calendar.
Inglewood Night Market
July 13th from 5pm-11pm
Inglewood, Calgary
Website
The Inglewood Night Market returns this month on July 13th. Host to over 50 local vendors selling unique goods, live entertainment, food trucks and fun activities, this is the ideal spot to kick off your Friday night date.
Southcentre Summer Markets
July 13th and 14th & July 27th and 28th from 5pm-10pm
Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Rd SE
Website
Meet your date in the Southcentre parking lot after work to browse through an outdoor night market. Presented in collaboration with Curated Markets, this event will feature a variety of goods from local artisans, food trucks and entertainment.
Wanderlust Rooftop Garden Party
July 15th from 230pm-5pm
Junction 9 Yoga & Pilates, 919 9 Ave SE
Website
Experience the magic of Wanderlust with local yoga teachers and Wanderlust ambassador as they guide you through an adventure on your mat. Listen to live music presented by DJ HMSLF as you follow a flow sequence and get grounded into your truest self with meditation and soothing yoga postures on Junction 9’s rooftop. Proceeds gifted to Emma House, a local charity that supports mothers in need.
Fiestaval Latin Festival
July 20th from 11am-9pm
Olympic Plaza, 228 8 Ave SE
Website
Explore this multicultural arts and entertainment festival that highlights Latin American culture. Taking place in the heart of downtown Calgary, there will be live music, dance performances and local vendors throughout the course of the weekend.
Bowls Tournament
July 21st from 6pm-930pm
Calgary Lawn Bowling Club, 3375 Spruce Dr SW
Website
In partnership with the Calgary Lawn Bowling Club, the CSSC will be bringing you a tournament played around the world. Bowls combines accuracy, strategy, exercise and a ton of fun. If you’ve never tried it, think curling meets bocce over an IPA. With an on-site beer garden and BBQ, you can’t go wrong with the evening tournament.
DateNightYYC Speed Dating
July 25th from 6pm-8pm
Bourbon Room, 341 10 Ave SW
Website
Put down your phone and practice your flirting skills while meeting new people. Each date will last 4-5 minutes. At the end of the night, we’ll collect your matches and contact you with them the following day. Your contact info is only shared with permission and if you have a match so with any luck, you’ll have a date by Friday.
2018 Calgary Folk Music Festival
July 26th – 29th, performances at various times
Prince’s Island Park, 698 Eau Claire Ave SW
Website
Catch the 39th annual Calgary Folk Music Festival in the city’s iconic Prince’s Island Park from July 26th to 29th. The four-day festival welcomes 70 artists from Alberta and around the globe to perform on six daytime and two evening stages. There will also be a Talk Tent featuring comedians and spoken word artists, an artisan market, global culinary delights, a record tent and a beer garden.
Rugged Maniac
July 28th from 9am-5pm
Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SE
Website
Spend your Saturday off the couch and with your squad doing something a little out-of-the-box. Bring your friends down to Spruce Meadows to tackle 25 obstacles in a 5-kilometer race. Obstacles include inflatable challenges, zip lines, monkey bars, steep cliffs, a huge chain link fence and more. Once you get to the end, there will be mechanical bulls and beer waiting for you.
Lougheed House Beltline Garden Party
July 28th from 11am-4pm
Lougheed House, 707 13 Ave SW
Website
Join the historic Lougheed House for an afternoon of fun on July 28th. This Garden Party is a free one-day event that welcomes the whole family. The day starts with a flag raising and opening ceremony at 11am followed by a dog parade at noon. In case you need more convincing, other activities include a beer garden, garden games and tours, live music and entertainment, a vendor market and free admission all day long.
Packwood Grand
July 28th from 12pm-6pm
Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, 261095 Dwight McLellan Tr
Website
Packwood Grand is set to be a true celebration of old world leisure and sophistication. Slip on your weekend best and head down to Century Downs Racetrack and Casino for this must-attend social and lifestyle event. This will be an affair of luxury, horse racing, fashion and food and drink.
Babes Who Brunch
July 28th from 1pm-3pm
Bonterra Trattoria, 1016 8 St SW
Website
The July edition of Babes Who Brunch with The Ace Class features boss babe Jennifer Barroll, Owner of Barroll Consulting and Director of Strategy and Communications of Azuridge. Each Babes Who Brunch event begins with the intention to grow, connect with one another and become comfortable in the uncomfortable. Guests will enjoy coffee, a two-course brunch, a curated gift bag and impactful takeaways from a keynote speaker.
Pet-A-Palooza
July 28th and 29th from 10am-4pm
Eau Claire, 200 Barclay Parade SW
Website
We love our pets here in Calgary, so naturally, we love an event that lets us take our BFF’s along for the fun. Pet-A-Palooza happens on July 28th and 29th and will feature over 100 vendors and events like Running of the Bulls (French and English bulldog races), weiner dog races, a puppy stampede and dock diving in the middle of the city. Did we mention the event is also free? You won’t want to miss it.
Kensington’s Fantasy Faire
July 29th from 11am-5pm
Kensington Rd and 10th St NW
Website
Attention all magical wizards and fairies : Kensington is bringing you Fantasy Faire on Sunday, July 29th. This one-day event is a rebrand from their previous Spend a Day in Kensington’s Diagon Alley. Expect the same entertaining events like a live music stage, tournament field, Quidditch games, life-sized chess board, costume contest and more. This is sure to be a hit for fans of all ages.
Calgary International Blues Festival
July 30th to August 5th at Various Times
Various Locations
Website
Calling all Blues fans: the 14th Calgary International Blues Festival returns from July 30th to August 5th. It’s the perfect event to unwind with and bring you into the month of August. Take in all the soulful greatness that the festival has to offer – you will not be disappointed.
Harry Potter’s Birthday Trivia
July 31st from 7pm-9pm
Jamesons Brentwood, 3790 Brentwood Rd NW
Website
We’re celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday properly this month with a special edition of Harry Potter Trivia – birthday style. Test your Harry Potter knowledge by going head-to-head with other teams in a friendly trivia competition. We’ll go through 4-5 rounds of questions where the top teams will then progress to the showdown round for a chance to win amazing prizes. Come meet some new friends, enjoy featured drink and food specials all night ($2 tacos and cheap buckets of beer) and join us for a fun night.
